My client, a construction manager, was working on three buildings simultaneously. He was juggling three different architects and three separate contractor teams. If that wasn’t enough, he and his wife were renovating a rowhouse in anticipation of their first child.
He said he wanted to talk about time management and prioritization.
Soon, he opened up about underlying concerns: anxiety, occasional panic attacks. “I’m in a good headspace right now,” he said, “But I can see the perfect storm brewing.”
His wife had suggested meditation, so he was using apps to “turn his brain off.” His tendency to overanalyze potential pitfalls was a strength at times, but it was becoming excessive. He suspected he needed more exercise, a physical outlet to mitigate the stress he was carrying.
This intuition is supported by science. Exercise is a powerful stress-buster with benefits extending far beyond physical health. Regular physical activity prompts your body to produce endorphins—natural painkillers and mood elevators. Exercise enhances your ability to sleep, which can in turn reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Moreover, it provides a healthy distraction from the cycle of negative thoughts that can feed anxiety and stress. By creating a routine of regular exercise, you not only strengthen your body but also cultivate a sense of control and self-confidence that can buffer against life’s stressors, leading to a healthier, more balanced state of mind.
Despite acknowledging this, he argued that he was too busy to fit in time on his Peloton.
Almost immediately, he backpedaled. It wasn’t a priority, or perhaps it was, but he just wasn’t doing it.
Coaching sessions often unfold like this. To an outside listener, it might seem like the client is avoiding something or talking in circles. In fact, my clients often complain about themselves, saying something like “I’m not making any sense.” But that’s okay. It’s all part of the process.
We continued to explore, and he eventually admitted that when it came to “getting on the Peloton,” he simply dreaded it. He’d rather do anything else.
So, I introduced him to the “I’m not going for a run” method to transition from dread to momentum.
Here’s how it goes:
1. I’m not going for a run. I’m just wearing my running clothes to bed.
2. I’m not going for a run. I’m just waking up.
3. I’m not going for a run. I’m just sitting up in bed.
4. I’m not going for a run. I’m just putting on my running shoes.
5. I’m not going for a run. I’m just walking to the front door.
6. I’m not going for a run. I’m just stepping outside.
7. I’m not going for a run. I’m just walking to the street.
8. Oh hell. I might as well run a bit…
This approach was revolutionary for my client. He began applying it to everything. Not only was it getting him on the Peloton, but it also helped him manage his finances on time and navigate difficult conversations.
Where could you apply this in your own life or work? What have you been dreading? Where are you procrastinating? Break it down—way down. What are all the tiny steps you would need to take to begin the project?
Commit to taking only one step at a time. This is not about tricking yourself. It’s about taking one step at a time, remembering that you CAN’T do it all at once.
And, if you choose, you can take all of the steps. But with every step, you only have to look at one more step to take.
